Verlander, Altuve work magic in Game 2 thriller
HOUSTON — Jose Altuve raced home on Carlos Correa’s double in the ninth inning, Justin Verlander struck out 13 in a complete game and the Astros beat the Yankees 2-1 on Saturday for a 2-0 lead in the AL Championship Series.
Correa also homered, but the Astros needed a daring dash from Altuve to get Verlander the victory.
The 5-foot-6 AL MVP front-runner reached with a one-out single against closer Aroldis Chapman, then sprinted around from first base on Correa’s shot to right-center field, sliding home as Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez misplayed a short hop. Altuve had two more hits and is 13-for-23 (.565) this postseason.
Verlander pitched another gem for the Astros, setting a postseason career best for strikeouts and allowing five hits in the second complete playoff game of his career. He threw 124 pitches and retired Aaron Judge, Sanchez and Greg Bird to get through the top of the ninth.
In the bottom of the inning, Judge picked up Correa’s hit in right field and threw toward second base. Shortstop Didi Gregorius fielded the ball and his throw beat Altuve to the plate by a few steps.
But Sanchez bobbled the one-hop throw as Altuve slid by, and the Astros mobbed Correa in shallow center field while Altuve pointed from home plate.
Correa’s home run stirred a bit of controversy. Carson Riley, a young Astros fan, tried to make a catch in the front row of Game 1: Game 2: Game 3:
Game 4: *Game 5: *Game 6: *Game 7: seats when Correa lined a shot over the right-field wall in the fourth inning.
After Correa circled the bases, Yankees manager Joe Girardi went out to talk to the umpires. The homer stood after a crew-chief review. The replay showed that the ball appeared to have crossed the yellow line and that the boy did not interfere.